Auckland and the Northern Lights could not be separated in Match Week Six of the National Women’s League, playing out an entertaining 0-0 draw tonight at McLennan Park in Papakura.

The defending champions Auckland, who had a chance to overtake the Canterbury United Pride at the top of the table with a win, were looking to make the most of home advantage in the first of two local derbies with their northern neighbours over the Labour Weekend period.

Both teams created plenty of scoring opportunities but were unable to find the back of the net. The draw sees Auckland maintain their undefeated record. They remain in second place with 11 points from five games, while the Northern Lights remain in third position, three points further back.

The Northern Lights began the brighter of the two teams and could have opened the scoring in the first minute. The Gemma Lewis-coached team had an early chance when forward Jane Barnett was put through on goal. She tried to chip Auckland goalkeeper Corina Brown and her effort bounced off the crossbar and out for a goal kick.

Ten minutes later, Auckland were under further pressure. New Zealand U-17 international Genevieve Ryan was unable to clear the ball out of the box and it fell to Lights forward Samantha Tawharu who laid it off for Malia Steinmetz, who also hit the crossbar.

After their slow start, Auckland found their rhythm. The Tracy Wrigley-coached team came close to opening the scoring in the 17^th minute when Football Ferns fullback Sarah Morton hit a cross that nearly snuck past Anna Leat, but the Ferns goalkeeper was up to the task in one of her many saves in the Northern goal.

Morton – the National Women's League Player of the Week from last week – went from provider to saving one at the other end when she cleared a headed effort from the Auckland goal-line.

There was another moment of panic for Auckland a few minutes later when the ball was given away right in front of goal, but Brown was quick enough to slide in at the feet of Dayna Stevens to keep the scores level.

Again the play ebbed and flowed and Morton continued to cause the Lights problems. She laid off a pass for captain Stephanie Skilton to hit a shot but Leat was again up to the task and kept a clean sheet heading into the break.

Auckland should have scored midway through the second half. Football Ferns winger Paige Satchell, who ran tirelessly all night, used her pace to set up an opportunity for Jade Parris but the striker hit her shot over the bar from close range. 

Northern thought they had taken the lead in the 81^st minute when Tawharu found the back of the net only for it to be overruled for offside.

It remained 0-0 into injury time and Skilton had the final chance of the game. She hit a powerful shot from long range, but once again Leat was able to keep the ball out.

Both teams had to settle for a draw and will pick up their rivalry on Tuesday night when the Lights host Auckland at QBE Stadium in the corresponding fixture. The Pride have a chance to edge further ahead over the weekend, but it will not be easy as they face a double header local derby of their own with Southern United.

National Women’s League Match Week 6 Result

Auckland 0
Northern Lights 0
HT: 0-0

For the National Women’s League table and other information please click here

Article added: Thursday 18 October 2018